Books in Godalming Parish Church

It is always good to be able to put something back.

Ten days ago I was in the Parish Church of Godalming. I lit a candle for my friend Sian who sadly is slowly going mad and one for Paulo Coelho as thanks for writing Aleph. I also filled out prayer cards.

I was chatting to a lady in the church. We had both read The Shack, and I suggested she followed it with Love Wins, then Aleph by Paulo Coelho, which had just been published the previous day.

Paulo Coelho, yes, he is the well known writer, he wrote The Alchemist.

I suggested they did as many churches now do, a little corner where people leave books for others to borrow and suggested these three books would be a good start.

She thought an excellent idea, only problem was too many good ideas and not enough people and time to carry them through.

Thinking on what she had said, I thought of a variant. Leave books around the church for others to find, to stumble upon.

To kick this idea off, this afternoon I left two books: The Shack and The Alchemist. Both books I have registered as BookCrossing books.

As my previous visit, candles were lit (though I had to borrow a light from the scafolders outside) and prayer cards filled out.

I could hear the tinkling of bells. At first I thought a clock. Then strange, I had not noticed music before. It turned out it was hand bells being rung.

Godalming Parish Church or to give it its full title St Peter and St Paul is a rare example of a church that is open during the day. Inside can be found the remnants of what is belived to be the oldest Saxon font in England.

Godalming is a small market town on the banks of the River Wey south of Guildford.

Tags: books, Godalming, Godalming Parish Church